-
What
are the basic items to include on my Web site?
-
Why
should I have a Web site if I only sell gift baskets locally?
-
Should
baskets on
my Web site be shown with or without cellophane wrapping?
-
Is it
okay to copy photographs from someone else's Web site to use on my
own?
-
How can I keep other people from using my pictures on their site?
-
Why do my
pictures look fuzzy rather than clear?
-
How can I
get corporate buyers to visit my site?
-
Do contests really work to keep people visiting and buying online?
-
Where can I find a low-cost, secure online shopping cart?
-
Do most designers make their own site or have someone do it for
them?
Visit to the FAQ Index page for a full list
of all of the frequently-asked questions pages.
Also
visit the Success Articles
section.
Basic information that everyone,
including gift basket designers, consider adding on their sites are
welcome page, gift basket photos and accompanying text for everyday and
special occasion designs, order form, general information about your
company, privacy details (whether or not you will sell the client’s
information), and business name, address, and contact telephone number.
You'll find more details at
Web Sites for Retailers.
If you are new to business, do not offer
this information on your site, as clients will determine
whether or not to buy from you based on your design expertise, not
length of time in business.
Back to Top
Maintaining a Web presence is critical to
small and large businesses.
Even local buyers want to see your designs
in an online setting, and they also want the option of ordering online.
Also, this is the best way for you to
showcase your new and top-selling designs without creating a catalog
each time it must be updated.
Back to Top
It is best to photograph your gift basket
designs without cellophane wrapping. This is true whether the photos
will be seen on the Web or if the designs will be shown in an album or
PowerPoint presentation.
Clients and prospects want to see the
basket’s features and cannot do so through a cellophane covering.
Back to Top
Copyright laws do not allow you to
copy another Web site’s photographs for use on your site unless you
receive written permission to do so. Taking another person’s gift basket
pictures are a big problem in this industry and one that will not go
away quickly.
The best way for you to promote
your business is to have your own baskets photographed to give customers
a true image of what they will receive when buying from you.
Back to Top
Unfortunately, anyone who wants to
use your photographs on their site can and will take the pictures. No
operating system is foolproof in keeping your pictures from harm’s way.
If you own a PC, there is a way to
right-click disable your photos, which means that anyone else that has a
PC will not be able to easily grab the photo, but right-click disable
does not work on MAC computers.
If you find that someone else has
taken your photographs, you can send the offending person an Email
insisting that he remove the photos within 24 hours. If this is not
done, the person can be reported to their ISP for copyright violations.
Some designers have their attorneys send cease and desist Emails or
letters.
Most of all, don’t let this problem
ruin your day and keep you from running your business. Send notice to
the offending party, and continue doing good business as usual.
Back to Top
“Fuzzy” or unclear pictures are usually a result of
either a camera that is low in megapixels or the non-use of a tripod.
When photographing your designs, consider using a tripod with your film or digital cameras, which may be small enough to fit onto a tabletop or
tall enough to stand on its own.
Higher megapixel cameras provide the
sharpest pictures possible, and it’s also easier to transfer these
pictures onto your Web site or print marketing materials. If you cannot
afford to purchase a camera, a mall-based portrait studio mail be able
to assist you.
Their prices are low, and most provide
pedestals, faux stairs, and other props that put your designs in the
best light.
Back to Top
Make sure your site
includes a page or section of gifts and baskets that corporate buyers
prefer for staff birthdays, appreciation, new hires, customers,
visitors, and special occasions.
Marketing
materials that include your Web site address are a must to send to corporate
buyers, such as human resource managers and sales and marketing
professionals.
Also consider
adding meta tags to your Web site
to help index your site in
search engine to make it easier for corporations to find you.
If you’re not
familiar with meta tags, you’ll find more details through Web sources,
in the library, or through your Webmaster if someone other than you
updates your sites.
Back to Top
Contests work only when you bring and
keep the excitement level high.
If running a monthly contest, clients and
prospects must be sent a monthly reminder by mail or Email encouraging
them to enter. The prize doesn’t have to be expensive, and the contest
page will also keep participants aware of your basket choices and
other gift-giving occasions now and in the future.
Back to Top
Your Web site host is one of the first
companies you’ll check for shopping cart costs. It is also recommended
that you ask other gift basket designers for options.
Another choice is to review several gift
basket sites to see which companies host their online store. Consider
all pros and cons outside of price, including how many baskets you can
list online and the ease of setup.
Back to Top
The answer to this question is difficult
to gauge, as creating a Web site depends on a person’s expertise.
Some designers make their own site
because of budget constraints or the desire to control the content.
Others have access to individuals who will help them create and update a
site. Still, there are others who have more money than time and leave
Web site creation to experts.
Whichever method you choose may depend on
the same or other factors, but the bottom line is that creating a Web
site is mandatory if you are to succeed with your enterprise.
Back to Top
